Top prizes for PA gymnasts

Five awards include an honour for coach

ART IN ACTION: Kayla Stiekema of Sunshine Coast Gymnastics has been named best senior artistic gymnast in the Eastern Cape for 2015. Picture: RAILTIME PHOTOGRAPHY
ART IN ACTION: Kayla Stiekema of Sunshine Coast Gymnastics has been named best senior artistic gymnast in the Eastern Cape for 2015. Picture: RAILTIME PHOTOGRAPHY

PORT Alfred gymnast Kayla Stiekema has been named best senior artistic gymnast in the Eastern Cape for last year. The Eastern Cape Gymnastics Association annual awards were held at the German Club in Port Elizabeth recently.

Sunshine Coast Gymnastics Club members were overjoyed to receive five awards. Selections are based on best results in each level and discipline for the entire year, over all the age groups in that level.

As well as winning the trophy for best senior artistic gymnast, Stiekema also won a medal for top achiever in the Eastern Cape – level 7 artistic gymnastics.

Taylor du Plessis won an award for participation in the double mini trampoline zone 6 international development competition.

Mia de Clerk won a medal for top achieving female mini trampoline gymnast in the EC. Stafford Avis won a medal for top achieving male mini trampoline gymnast in the EC.

Kayla’s mom, Carol-Ann Stiekema, was named best senior artistic gymnast coach in the EC, shared with Debbie Gordon of Anderson’s Gymnastics in Port Elizabeth.

“This is the first time that we have received so many awards and the first time a coach in Port Alfred has received an Eastern Cape coaching award,” Carol-Ann said. “I really believe God has blessed our little club, rewarding us for being faithful with the ‘little’ we have. “The gymnasts who received awards really have worked very hard for them.

Taylor and Mia have left Port Alfred and continue to shine in their new clubs. We are so very proud of our gymnasts and grateful to the Lord for His favour,” she said.